International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Rebba Kishore Kumar, Dr. Bishnupriya Mishra, Kiran Sourav Das and Divya Parimi

abstract
The contemporary agricultural landscape is characterized by a complex interplay of factors influencing the livelihoods of the farming community and the overall agrarian economy. In response to these challenges, various government initiatives have been implemented to support and empower farmers. One such initiative is the Rythu Bharosa Kendra (RBK), a demand-driven agricultural extension system recently established in the state of Andhra Pradesh. RBKs aim to provide a comprehensive range of agricultural services, information, and resources to farmers at the grassroots level, with the overarching goal of enhancing productivity, income, and the overall well-being of farmers. The present study "Extent of Socio-economic and technological change among tribal Farmers through RBK interventions in Andhra Pradesh" was undertaken. An ex post facto research design was employed for the study, which took place in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Eluru districts of Andhra Pradesh. Three mandals, namely Araku Valley, Parvathipuram, and Buttaigudem were purposively selected based on tribal population. Four villages from each mandal, ten farmers from each village totaling 120 respondents and data were collected through pre-tested structured interview schedules. The collected data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods and tools, including frequency, percentage, and mean score. The study evaluated desirable socio-economic and technological changes in terms of saving and investment, situational factors, social status, self-sufficiency, and technology adoption. Approximately 48.3 percent of the respondents reported a medium level of socio economic and technological change, while 15.8 percent experienced very high levels of change. Equal percentages of 15 percent reported low and high levels of socio-techno-economic change, with a smaller proportion (5.8 percent) experiencing very low levels of socio-economic and technological change.